Color of graphics for Printers

I've been asked and have created graphics for stationery and print pieces. The printer company often asks if it is 4 color or to provide a file with color separation. How do I determine this in Photodraw and how do I prepare a file for color separation. Also, if I use a photograph to create a logo for letterhead, how would I determine whether it is 4 color?

I'm very challenged in this area, so any help/reference you can give me would be oh so great!

Re: Color of graphics for Printers

Kate,

I did a little research in PhotoDraw and did not find anything directly related to "4 colors/four colors." So, I went the the web and found these sites on color.

The "four color process" is the best site I have found and it appears that the term four color does not relate to the image that you are providing, it relates to how the image is printed (duplicated). If I am wrong in this determination, I am willing to be corrected.

"Four-color process printing is the most demanding. The four basic colors used to create the exact color
specified are generally referenced as CMYK. "C" represents Cyan or blue, "M" represents magenta or
red, "Y" represents yellow, and "K" represents black."
Located at: http://www.bob-weber.com/faq9.htm.

Re: Color of graphics for Printers

Kate,

I've corrected myself...
You have to manually set the color mode/scheme to CYMK or four color and THEN save as something like a TIFF file. The following is a list of programs that can and cannot render the file types you seek. Unfortunatly, PhotoDraw cannot facilitate CYMK. You may be able to find an image file converter to take an image that is RGB to CYMK.

Re: Color of graphics for Printers

Hi Ryan:

Thanks for your input...now I know I'm not going crazy! This is about what I expected...a real delima for people needing to create pics for the printer who wants to know if it was created in four color.

I've read some of the technical stuff on it and frankly it's a little above me. I'm thinking the only way to get around this is to purchase one of these programs. Isn't it strange that MicroSoft didn't include such an important feature.